title: The programming of structural properties of movement sequences.
abstract: The present paper investigates the role of abstract structural properties in the programming and execution of movement sequences. Three experiments, using converging methods, demonstrate that the motor system represents the abstract structural properties of movement sequences. The first two experiments show that hierarchical structures over a sequence of tapping movements can be used to prepare the motor program, even if the specific elements of the sequence are still unknown. Experiment 2 also shows that the preliminary programming of structural properties of a movement sequence takes more time than the programming of specific elements (start elements). Experiment 3 suggests that abstract structural properties can be generalized from a special sequence and that they are transferable to other sequences. Abstract structural properties are assumed to be an important component of generalized motor programs.
authors.affiliation: Zentralinsitut für Kybernetik und Informationsprozesse der AdW, Forschungsstelle für Psychologie, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ziessler
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hänel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sachse
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D006801:Humans; D011939:Mental Recall; D008838:Microcomputers; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D012691:Serial Learning